Arizona Background Check

Conduct a thorough criminal background check in Arizona by searching criminal history, Arizona court records, find current past addresses, check Arizona prison, jail inmate records, and Arizona department of corrections records. Also check Arizona professional licenses and other credentials.



Free Background Check in Arizona



Overview

The Criminal History Records Section serves as the Central State Repository for criminal records in the state of Arizona (see Arizona Revised Statute 41-1750).

Criminal justice agencies within Arizona are required by this statute to report arrest and disposition information to the Central State Repository. Copies of criminal records are restricted to authorized individuals/agencies.

Instructions

  • Employee Background Checks:
    • The Applicant Team conducts fingerprint based state and federal criminal history background checks for agencies authorized under ARS 41-1750(G) and Public Law 92-544 to receive the information. Agencies submitting applicant prints must have an FBI approved city, town, or county ordinance, tribal resolution or state statute mandating the criminal history records check. For more information you can contact the Applicant Team at (602) 223-2223.

    • ARS 41-1750(G) does not provide DPS the statutory authority to process applicant fingerprints and release Arizona state criminal history record information to private companies for employment or licensing purposes.

  • Fingerprint Clearance Card: If you have been told by an employer or agency that you need a fingerprint clearance card in order to work for a company/agency, contact the Applicant Clearance Card Team at (602) 223-2279.

  • Clearance Letter: Arizona law does not permit the Central State Repository to do a criminal history record check or to provide a clearance letter for the purpose of immigration, obtaining a visa, or for foreign adoption.  Please contact the Criminal History Records Section (602) 223-2222 if you need a notarized copy of this statement.

  • Local Clearance: If you need a local clearance, you should contact your local police agency.

  • Record Reviews: Individuals wishing to review their Arizona criminal record must complete a “Record Review Instruction Packet”.  Check the “Questions” section for more information on the record review process and how you can obtain a “Record Review Instruction Packet”.


What Is an Arizona Background Check?

An Arizona Background Check offers a comprehensive search in public records for:

  • Vital records, like births, deaths, marriages, and divorces
  • Current contact information and previous addresses
  • Criminal records, convictions and prison records or sex offender registration
  • Civil court filings, like civil judgments
  • Tax liens and bankruptcies
  • Records of real estate ownership and registered assets
  • Professional and business licenses

Arizona background check is available through the state or through premium data aggregation services who conduct public record data searches and provide you with a report.. Each state, and sometimes each county, has different rules on how much information is available and who can access background check data. Therefore a background check may still not contain every record about a person, however in most cases it is very thorough. Most premium background check services use multiple databases of public records in order to provide you with their background reports.